The Al-Ettifaq manager, Steven Gerrard has disclosed that he was rejected by two Championship clubs before he moved to Saudi Arabia this summer.
Gerrard, after his side’s 2-1 win over Al-Nassr on Monday, recalled his Championship rejection.
Gerrard had been out of work after being sacked by Aston Villa in October 2022 when he was approached by Al-Ettifaq.
After initially turning down the chance to take over, he was appointed last month, signing a two-year deal.
However, he has now revealed he was initially keen to manage in the Championship instead.
Gerrard was unable to secure a job, though, explaining he never heard back about the roles he went for.
He said “I had a couple of other things on the table at Championship level and I had to make a decision (on) what I believed was right for me,” said Gerrard, via the Daily Mail.
“In time with being patient, this was the best offer on the table because we had two offers that had a chance, they were taken away from me rather than me making that decision.”
The Liverpool legend also added, “I was in for two Championship jobs. I’m not afraid to say that, I never got them jobs, and I didn’t want to stay out of the game much longer and this was the best thing on the table at the time.”
Gerrard went on to take over at Al-Ettifaq and began his tenure in the Saudi Pro League on Monday night.
Captained by Jordan Henderson, his side came from behind to beat Al-Nassr 2-1, with ex-Celtic striker Moussa Dembele scoring the winner.
Meanwhile, Gerrard did not reveal which Championship clubs rejected him, he was linked with a trio of roles before heading to the Middle East.
He had been the bookies’ favourite to replace Darren Moore at newly-promoted Sheffield Wednesday.
